Peter Bankes will referee Newcastle United’s Premier League game at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).
Bankes – who was promoted to the Select Group 1 list of referees last summer – has been appointed for the clash at Molineux, which will be the first time he has overseen a top-flight fixture involving United.
The 37-year-old is in his first season as a Premier League referee, having spent time officiating in the EFL in recent years.
The last time Bankes took charge of a Magpies game came in the 2016/17 campaign, when Newcastle lifted the Championship trophy on the final day of the season. He was the man in the middle of the 2-0 home win over Aston Villa, and the 4-3 victory over Norwich City at St. James’ Park earlier that term.
So far this season, Bankes has overseen a total of 15 games across the Premier League, Championship, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and is yet to keep his cards pocketed. Five of those outings came in the top flight, the latest of which was Norwich’s 2-1 home defeat to Wolves just before Christmas.
He has dished out a total of 65 yellow cards in 2019/20, but just one red – to Fulham’s Marek Rodak, in their 0-0 Championship draw at Middlesbrough in October.
Bankes will be assisted by Simon Long and Sian Massey-Ellis at the weekend, with Mike Dean acting as fourth official.
Chris Kavanagh will be the VAR, and will be assisted by Dan Cook.